Search Results (2,924)

The coordinated development of achenes and receptacles in strawberry is critical for seed dispersal and fruit quality, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly characterized. Utilizing RNA-seq analysis during the ripening transition stage, we identified pronounced transcriptomic divergence between achenes and receptacles, with receptacles exhibiting more dynamic gene expression shifts. Intriguingly, a substantial subset of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) displayed antagonistic expression patterns between these tissues, including the cytokinin degradation gene cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase 1 (FvCKX1), which was highly expressed in both tissues but with opposing temporal trends. Functional interrogation via transient silencing and overexpression revealed a tissue-specific regulatory role for FvCKX1. RNA interference (RNAi) suppression of FvCKX1 significantly enhanced receptacle expansion but delayed achene maturation, whereas overexpression inhibited receptacle growth while accelerating achene ripening. Abscisic acid (ABA), which positively regulates fruit enlargement, was elevated in FvCKX1 RNAi receptacles and notably reduced in overexpression fruits, indicating that FvCKX1 might negatively modulate ABA synthesis during strawberry fruit development. Our results demonstrate that FvCKX1 may function as a key regulator mediating the coordinated development between achenes and receptacles in strawberry. Full article

Climate change presents a challenge for global viticulture due to rising temperatures and water stress, which accelerate grape ripening, increase sugar levels, and reduce acidity. This compromises wine quality and microbial stability, resulting in higher reliance on sulfur dioxide (SO₂). However, SO₂ can inhibit desirable fermentations, including those carried out by non-Saccharomyces yeasts, which are key biotechnological tools for climate adaptation due to their ability to modulate acidity, aroma, and ethanol. Therefore, alternative disinfection methods are needed to control wild microbiota without hindering inoculated yeasts. This review critically analyzes ozone (O₃) as a non-thermal disinfection technology for winemaking. It examines the antimicrobial mechanism of ozone, its efficacy against wine-related microorganisms, its impact on the physicochemical and aromatic parameters of grapes, and its practical viability. Ozone effectively reduces spoilage-causing microbiota, achieving inactivation of approximately 3–4 log CFU/mL for yeasts, while preserving crucial grape compounds and providing a favorable environment for novel fermentation biotechnologies. Compared to other emerging technologies and SO₂, ozone offers a balanced profile: effective disinfection, minimal residues, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with sustainable winemaking. Ozone is emerging as a promising alternative to facilitate controlled fermentations and improve wine quality among the current climatic and oenological challenges. Full article

Antioxidants play an essential role in human health by reducing damage caused by free radicals. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents and the antioxidant capacity of two sour cherry cultivars (Cigánymeggy, Oblacsinszka) grown under conventional and organic production systems were evaluated over two consecutive years at different stages of ripening. Results showed that the concentrations of different antioxidant compounds varied during ripening, but more significant differences were observed between the growing seasons, whereas no significant differences were found between the investigated genotypes or cultivation methods. In 2024, total polyphenol values during the harvest period ranged from 1116.33 to 1874.39 mg GAE/100 g DM, while in 2025 they ranged from 909.81 to 1668.96 mg GAE/100 g DM. Polyphenol profile analysis showed that the main polyphenolic compounds of sour cherries, including cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-sophoroside, were detected in both years, indicating that the major anthocyanin components were consistently present despite harvesting year effects. Full article

Fruit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key determinants of plum flavor quality, and esters contribute strongly to the fruity aroma of ripe fruit. However, the molecular basis of cultivar differences in ester formation during ripening has not been systematically clarified. Here, we characterized pulp VOC profiles across ripening in three Chinese plum (Prunus salicina) cultivars (‘WeiWang’ (WW), ‘WeiDi’ (WD), and ‘KongLongDan’ (KLD)) and integrated transcriptome analysis with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify genes associated with ester accumulation. HS-SPME-GC-MS identified 38 VOCs, mainly esters, aldehydes, and alcohols, with ‘WW’ showing the highest total VOC abundance. During ripening, esters became the predominant volatile class in ‘WW’ and ‘WD’, in agreement with their fruity sensory characteristics, whereas ‘KLD’ maintained a more balanced composition of fruity and green-related volatiles. Transcriptomic analyses highlighted Prunus salicina alcohol acyltransferase 3 (PsAAT3) as the most abundant AAT transcript in pulp and strongly induced in ‘WW’. Transient overexpression of PsAAT3 in the low-ester background increased butyl acetate and hexyl acetate by 4.8- and 2.2-fold, respectively. WGCNA further identified ester-associated modules and candidate transcription factors co-expressed with PsAAT3 (JA2L, HY5, NAC073, and PHL13). As a result, this study identifies PsAAT3 as a key determinant of high-ester aroma in Chinese plum and provide candidate targets for aroma improvement and flavor-oriented breeding. Full article

Accurate monitoring of crop phenology is essential for precision agriculture and yield forecasting. However, satellite-derived time series often suffer from inherent noise, such as residual atmospheric effects and mixed pixels, as well as a frequent lack of ground-truth data in agriculture. In response, this study proposes an algorithm to define the type of spectral signatures for the principal phenological stages of crops, using them as the foundation for training supervised machine learning classification models. The algorithm was developed using Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering to identify the spectral signature reference groups in winter wheat across the Burgos region (Spain) during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. To enhance cluster independence and biological coherence, a multi-step filtering process was implemented, including spectral purity (membership degree, SAM, and SAMder) and temporal coherence filters. The filtered and labeled dataset (80% original Burgos dataset) was used to train supervised classification models (KNN and XGBoost). The models’ reliability was verified through three wheat tests (remaining 20%), labeled using other clustering techniques, and an independent barley dataset from diverse geographic locations (Valladolid and Soria). The filtering process significantly improved cluster stability by removing outliers and transition spectral signatures. The supervised models demonstrated exceptional performance; the KNN model slightly outperformed XGB, achieving a mean Accuracy of 0.977, a Kappa of 0.967, and an F1-score of 0.977 in the wheat external test. Furthermore, the model showed, when applied to barley, that its phenological spectral signatures are equivalent in shape to those of wheat, with an Accuracy of 0.965 and an F1-score of 0.974. In addition, it was verified that the type spectral signatures remain the same regardless of the location. This study presents a robust classification tool capable of labeling four key phenological stages (tillering, stem elongation, ripening, and senescence) without ground truth. By effectively removing inherent satellite noise, the proposed methodology produces organized, cleaned datasets. This structured foundation is critical for future research integrating spectral signatures with harvester data to develop high-precision yield prediction models. Full article

Mango (Mangifera indica L.), being a climacteric fruit, is highly perishable due to rapid ripening and post-harvest diseases like anthracnose, which significantly shorten its shelf life and limit long-distance sea export. To mitigate these constraints, a chemical-free secondary metabolite-based formulation (SMsF) was developed to delay ripening and control post-harvest anthracnose during storage. The SMsF possesses dual-action properties and is derived from the culture filtrate of Priestia aryabhattai, exhibiting ACC deaminase activity that restricts ethylene formation. It is also rich in antifungal compounds such as vanillic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, palmitic acid, and BBIT, which inhibit anthracnose development. Additionally, it contains antioxidants including quercetin, coumaryl quinic acid, oleic acid, and acetylglycitin that enhance shelf life and disease resistance. The efficacy of SMsF was evaluated in mango cv. Banganapalli was stored at 12 ± 1 °C and 85–90% relative humidity under simulated reefer conditions (SRC). Integration of gamma irradiation with SMsF provided superior results in disease control and shelf-life extension. The combined treatment maintained higher fruit firmness (0.86 kg cm⁻²), optimal total soluble solids (14.3 °B), desirable acidity (0.22%), and complete suppression of anthracnose (PDI = 0) up to 40 days of storage under SRC compared with the control. The findings conclusively demonstrate that the synergistic application of SMsF and gamma irradiation effectively regulates ripening, enhances fruit quality, and ensures complete disease suppression, thereby significantly extending storage life. This approach holds strong scientific and commercial significance as a sustainable, residue-free, and export-oriented technology capable of improving long-distance transportation, reducing post-harvest losses, and promoting safe mango trade. Full article

Grapevine growth and physiological performance are strongly influenced by biotic and abiotic stresses occurring during the growing season. Plant stimulants are increasingly applied in viticulture as management tools aimed at supporting plant physiological processes and improving plant performance under variable environmental conditions; however, cultivar-specific responses to different application strategies remain insufficiently characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar plant stimulant application strategies differing in application frequency and phenological timing on selected physiological and canopy-related indicators in Slovak grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) under field conditions. The assessed parameters included leaf chlorophyll a and b contents, chlorophyll a/b ratio, leaf area index (LAI), vegetation indices (NDVI and PRI), cluster weight, and basic must composition. Grapevines were subjected to three treatment variants: a control without plant stimulant application, a variant with two foliar applications, and a variant with three foliar applications of commercial biostimulants (Tecamin Max, Tecamin Flower, and Tecamin Brix) performed at key phenological stages during the growing season. Plant stimulant applications were associated with variations in leaf chlorophyll content and LAI values, particularly under repeated application strategies. NDVI and PRI complemented leaf-level measurements by capturing cultivar-dependent differences in canopy condition and photosynthetic regulation throughout the season. Responses of cluster weight and must composition to plant stimulant application were moderate and varied among cultivars, indicating cultivar-specific responses. Although no consistent increase in cluster yield was observed, treated variants showed higher sugar content and lower titratable acidity in several cultivars, indicating differences in grape composition and ripening-related traits. Overall, the results indicate that foliar plant stimulant application strategies can influence physiological and canopy-level grapevine traits in a cultivar-dependent manner. The combined use of leaf-level, canopy-level, and spectral indicators provides a practical framework for evaluating plant stimulant strategies under field conditions and supports their application in sustainable viticulture. Full article

Background: Chlorophyll degradation is a characteristic sign of fruit ripening. However, the chlorophyll degradation pathway during pitaya fruit development remains unexplored. Methods and Results: Here, chlorophyll contents showed a downward trend across the five developmental stages of ‘Jindu No.1’ pitaya peels. Based on the pitaya genome data, twenty chlorophyll degradation genes were identified, including two NYCs, three CLHs, five SGRs, six PAOs, and four RCCRs, spread across eight pitaya chromosomes. In addition, their phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, and domains were analyzed using homologous genes from beet and Arabidopsis species. Transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analyses of these genes suggested that three HuSGRs demonstrated a significant upward trend during pitaya peel maturation. Indeed, the HuSGR1 has the complete gene structure, including the chloroplast transit peptide, SGR domain, and variable C-terminal region. However, HuSGR2 and HuSGR3 contained the N- and C-terminal sequences, respectively, of HuSGR1. They were separated by a 690 bp distance on chromosome 8, forming a gene cluster. Overexpressed HuSGR2 or HuSGR3 alone resulted in a significant decrease in chlorophyll contents in tobacco leaves. Notably, a more obvious reduction of chlorophyll contents was observed when overexpressing them together. Conclusions: Our results show that HuSGR2 and HuSGR3 were involved in accelerating the chlorophyll degradation process, providing new insights into the molecular basis of color formation in pitaya peels. Full article

With the growing demand for advanced passive cooling technologies in fields such as building energy efficiency, thermal protection of electronic devices, and personal thermal comfort, radiative cooling materials have garnered considerable attention due to their ability to achieve cooling without external energy input. In this study, TiO₂ hollow microspheres with a core–shell structure were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method using TiCl₄ as the titanium source and (NH₄)₂SO₄ and CO(NH₂)₂ as structure-directing agents. The effects of reaction temperature (120–200 °C) and reaction time (0.5–36 h) on the morphology, crystal phase, specific surface area, pore structure, and infrared optical properties of the microspheres were systematically investigated. The results indicate that all prepared samples consisted of anatase-phase TiO₂, with the microstructure significantly influenced by the synthesis conditions. An increase in reaction temperature promoted the transition from solid to hollow structures; the microspheres exhibited the most regular morphology and the largest specific surface area at 180 °C. Prolonging the reaction time facilitated the Ostwald ripening process, leading to a more complete hollow structure at 24 h. Infrared optical performance analysis revealed that all samples exhibited high emissivity approaching 100% in the 8–15 μm wavelength range, attributed to the intrinsic lattice vibration absorption of TiO₂. In the 3–8 μm range, however, the emissivity was strongly modulated by the microstructure. Samples synthesized at 180 °C for 12–24 h demonstrated stable emissivity characteristics owing to their dense shells, uniform particle size, and well-defined hollow structures. This study elucidates the intrinsic relationship between microstructural evolution and infrared emission performance in TiO₂ hollow microspheres, providing a theoretical foundation and process optimization strategy for their application in radiative cooling coatings, device thermal protection, and personal thermal management textiles. Full article

‘Qing Zhou Mi’ (QZM) is a typical representative landrace of the late-ripening, high-resistance, and small-fruited peaches found in northern China. However, its genetic information has not been systematically analyzed. In this study, we sequenced and de novo assembled the QZM genome. The chromosome-level genome was 252.39 Mb in size, with a contig N50 of 24.35 Mb. Comparative genomic analysis found a total of 9.24 Mb unique fragments and 418 genes in the QZM genome, most of which were associated with resistance. Compared with the genomes of some early maturing peach accessions, the differentiation ability of the ACC oxidase and ethylene receptor gene families related to ethylene synthesis and transport in QZM was significantly weakened. In the genome-wide association study, we identified PpNAC1 as a major gene regulating the late-ripening trait of QZM. In addition, we discovered a novel locus associated with fruit weight and focused on a candidate gene in its regulation, PpLOB33. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for further research on the genetic basis underlying the core traits of QZM, providing precise targets for molecular breeding. Full article

Fresh figs are characterised by high perishability, leading to a limited postharvest shelf life. Consequently, preharvest elicitor application strategies have been explored to enhance their quality and storability. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, figs (cv. Calabacita) grown under high-density conditions were treated with oxalic acid (OA; 1 and 2 mM), melatonin (MEL; 0.1 and 0.5 mM), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA; 10 and 50 mM) through foliar sprays applied two or three times. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and analysed immediately after harvest. Physicochemical and bioactive parameters were determined. Analysis of variance was used to assess treatment effects, and t-tests were used to evaluate differences in the number of applications and between seasons. Significant seasonal effects were observed, whereas no cumulative effect from repeated applications was detected. OA at 2 mM increased fruit weight (37.9 g) and size (42.5 mm) and delayed ripening. MEL treatments enhanced sugar accumulation (100.1 g kg⁻¹ and 96 g kg⁻¹ of glucose and fructose, respectively), while GABA treatments were associated with a more advanced maturity stage. Notably, OA (2 mM), MEL (0.5 mM), and GABA (50 mM) significantly increased enzymatic antioxidant activity by an average of 24% and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity by around 17% in general terms. These results indicate that preharvest elicitor application is a promising and eco-friendly approach to improve the nutritional value and overall quality of fresh figs. Full article

It is widely recognized that microbial inoculants (MI) and bio-organic fertilizers (BOFs) containing beneficial microorganisms can play an important role in improving orchard soil properties and enhancing fruit quality. However, insufficient data regarding the relevant fruit quality effects hindered the supplementary MI and BOFs in kiwifruit cultivation. Using conventional fertilization management as the control, this study investigated the impacts of supplementary applications of MI and BOFs at two gradient dosages on the harvest-time quality and cold storage characteristics of ‘Puyu’ yellow-fleshed kiwifruit. Regarding leaf physiological indices and soil pH, MI-3.0 and BOF-20 treatments significantly elevated total chlorophyll content at 60 days after flowering (DAF) (the fruit expansion stage). Leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents declined gradually during fruit development, while MI-2.0 and BOF-10 treatments markedly promoted leaf P accumulation at 20–100 DAF. Additionally, the MI-2.0 treatment significantly reduced 20–40 cm subsoil pH, which is favorable for kiwifruit plants that prefer acidic and slightly acidic conditions. On the other hand, appropriate doses of MI and BOF treatments exerted a significant effect on improving the quality of kiwifruit at the ripening stage. These effects were mainly manifested in the increased single fruit weight, firmness, dry matter content and total soluble solids (TSSs) of kiwifruit following MI-3.0 and BOF-20 treatments. Furthermore, MI-3.0 and BOF-10 notably elevated the fructose and glucose contents in both flesh and core, as well as sucrose and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents in the flesh; MI-2.0 and BOF treatments significantly increased citric and malic acids in the core and quinic acid in the flesh. During cold storage, the BOF-20 treatment not only delayed the occurrence of the ethylene peak by 20 d and significantly reduced its peak value, but also alleviated the decline in total acid content at the middle storage stage (20–40 d). Additionally, MI-2.0 and BOF-20 treatments effectively delayed kiwifruit softening at the early storage stage (0–10 d), and MI treatments maintained a high AsA content in the core during 10–20 d of cold storage. MI and BOF fertilization treatments had little effect on the dynamic change trends of sucrose synthase (SuS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and acid invertase (AI) in kiwifruit during cold storage, only exerting significant effects at specific time points. In conclusion, supplementary applications of MI and BOFs could improve kiwifruit quality at the harvest stage by positively regulating the accumulation of dry matter, soluble sugars and organic acid contents, and also have the potential to enhance the storage performance of kiwifruit. These findings provide a scientific basis for establishing an effective fertilization regime for kiwifruit. Full article

Effective post-harvest management of avocados is essential for reducing supply chain losses. This requires an accessible, cost-effective method for accurately predicting ripeness under real-world conditions. This study developed a non-destructive framework for predicting avocado ripeness using portable visible–near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectrometers and analyzed the storage temperature dependencies. A 10-point sensory-based ripeness index was correlated with second-derivative reflectance spectra using partial least squares (PLS) regression. To ensure model robustness, we employed repeated 10-fold cross-validation. The broadband PLS model achieved a residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 1.36, while a simplified model using six specific wavelengths (570, 977, 1120, 1161, 1398, and 1655 nm) demonstrated an RPD of 1.43, confirming its feasibility as a preliminary screening tool. Key wavelengths identified were associated with chlorophyll degradation and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, a significant logarithmic relationship (r = 0.9965) was observed between storage temperature (15–35 °C) and the daily ripening rate. Our results suggest that ripening progression is significantly suppressed at temperatures of approximately 12 °C or below. These findings provide quantitative guidelines for distributors to optimize logistics and shelf-life management using portable technology, contributing to the digitalization of consumer-aligned ripeness assessment. Full article

The incorporation of natural plant extracts into dairy products has attracted increasing interest due to their potential to enhance nutritional value and product stability. This study evaluated the effects of distilled rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) flower ethanolic extract on the physicochemical, texture, microbiological, and sensory properties of kashkaval cheese. Cheese samples were immersed in solutions containing rose extract at concentrations of 1.25% (S2) and 2.5% (S3) and compared with a control (S1) during ripening. Sensory evaluation showed that S2 achieved the most favorable balance of aroma, flavor, and overall acceptability, whereas S3 exhibited reduced acceptance due to an excessively strong floral aroma. The enrichment did not significantly affect fat (26–29%), water (33–36%), or salt (~2%) content. However, rose extract accelerated proteolysis, with S2 showing the highest maturity index (NPN/TN 13.76% at month 6) compared with the control (11.19%). Enriched samples showed improved amino and organic acid profiles, while the control contained higher levels of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. All samples met microbiological safety criteria. Rose extract also influenced color and texture properties. These results demonstrate that rose extract can serve as a functional ingredient to improve the quality and technological properties of kashkaval cheese, with optimal effects at 1.25%. Full article

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) exhibits remarkable phenotypic and genetic diversity, historically classified into morello and amarelle groups based on fruit pigmentation. However, the genetic foundations of these categories remain unclear. Here, we combine 10 SSR loci with S-RNase genotyping to evaluate genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and population structure across 27 Hungarian and internationally relevant sour cherry cultivars. The marker panel proved highly informative, yielding 78 SSR alleles and 17 S-alleles, with a multilocus probability of identity of 3.97 × 10⁻⁷. Phylogenetic reconstruction, minimum spanning networks, Bayesian clustering, and PCoA consistently resolved five genetically coherent groups that largely reflect known breeding histories and regional selection rather than fruit color classes. High- and low-anthocyanin cultivars frequently co-occurred within clades, demonstrating that pigmentation does not track genome-wide relatedness. To investigate proximate molecular mechanisms, we profiled flavonoid-pathway gene expression in contrasting accessions (VN-1 and ‘Pipacs 1’). VN-1 exhibited strong late-ripening induction of structural genes and MYB10, whereas ‘Pipacs 1’ showed attenuated late activation and higher early expression of ANR, LAR, and UFGT, suggesting divergent transcriptional regulation and pathway flux between the two genotypes. Together, these results indicate that fruit color variation is largely independent of the multilocus relatedness patterns captured by our marker set, and is likely influenced by lineage-specific regulatory differences. Full article